Balsam Jacket by Jennifer Wood

Balsam Jacket

Knitting
February 2012
Aran (8 wpi) ?
16 stitches and 22 rows = 4 inches
in Stockinette Stitch
US 8 - 5.0 mm
5.0 mm (H)
755 - 1371 yards (690 - 1254 m)
31, 34, 37, 40, 43, 46, 49, 52, 55, 58
English
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I was wanting to design a sweater jacket that could be worn by itself in the fall or under a coat in the winter. So I designed this fitted jacket that has enough ease to be comfortable but fitted enough to work under a coat. I love this top down construction with short-row shaping and set in sleeves that I learned from Barbara Walker’s Knitting From The Top. It allows for the elegant look of a sweater made in pieces without having to mess with seams. It requires only a few stitches be picked up (a big plus in my book) and you can try it on for size as you knit it. I found the Daisy Stitch also in one of Barbara Walker’s books, A Treasury of Knitting Patterns, and thought it would be perfect for a touch of whimsical detailing on the jacket. In the notes of the pattern I added links that give examples for the construction of the jacket and the Provisional Cast on method that I used.

Sizes:
Finished bust (when buttoned): 31 (34, 37, 40, 43, 46, 49, 52, 55, 58)“. Garment is designed to be worn with 1” of ease when buttoned.

Materials:
Yarn: Manos Wool Clasica, 100% wool; 138 yds per 100g skein; color: #30 Silica, 6 (7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9, 9, 10, 10) skeins, 755 (884, 946, 1006, 1061, 1114, 1167, 1220, 1247, 1371) yds.
Needles: Size 8/5mm 24” (or longer) circular needle and set of 4 or 5 double-pointed needles.
Other: Stitch markers, waste yarn for provisional cast-on, spare circular needle or stitch holders, locking markers or safety pins, size H crochet hook (for buttons), tapestry needle.
Gauge: 16 sts and 22 rows in 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch.